STUNNING looking movie with great eye for detail follows the long but never dull story of poor Barry to higher places. The second half feels different and the lead is very hard to like but very entertaining and well made movie
I'm used to Stanley Kubrick playing distancing tricks on the audience, but Barry Lyndon, based on Thackeray's The Luck of Barry Lyndon, takes the cake. The book is a 19th-Century picaresque set in the 18th, following the good and bad fortunes of an Irish rogue who eventually marries into the aristocracy. It's a story book-ended by duels, and wryly narrated by Michael Hordern's rich voice, but that's just it - we're often told things and not actually shown them, especially where emotional context is concerned. The lead, Ryan O'Neal, spends most of the film, stone-facedly moving from one circumstance to another, do while I wasn't exactly bored (restless perhaps, but not bored), I definitely had a hard time engaging with the story. But this is Kubrick, so it's all part of the plan, of course. The achievement here is to create what is clearly the product of 18th-Century high art. Every frame is a painting (some shots inspired by the art of the era). Every note of the soundtrack a classical piece. The narration, literary. So when he puts us at a distance, it's the distance one feels from a painting, from the past, from the artifice of the century. We're meant to be detached, but to also take in the beauty of the image - perhaps an exploration of the difference between painting and cinema on his part - albeit, intellectually. As a piece of cinematography, it is impressive; as a story, it (necessarily?) leaves me cold.
Beautiful to look at. Having empathised with Barry in the first half, I disliked his character after the intermission. However, you then realise that he has been lucky all along, had fallen into things by chance, and his character never really changed.
There aren't too many of Kubrick's trademarks in the film. The music is there, the attention to detail and there is quite a long tracking shot towards the end, but otherwise you don't get the Kubrick feel you would from 2001 or Clockwork Orange.
I have seen others online, in the past, complaining that this film is too slow. I found it skipped along quite quickly, with the plot constantly unfolding. In fact, for a three hour film, there is hardly a moments rest.
Having put off watching this film for a while, despite being a Kubrick fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie when I finally got round to it.
I'm not a Kubrick fan but whenever I mention to Kubrick lovers that I loved this film, they smirk. I honestly do not understand; this film did much more for me than 2001. I was completely absorbed and astonished by the manipulation of time and the noticeable but subtle shift in Barry's character. And the cinematography. Just stunning.
One of those films that at the end you'll get the sensation that the beginning happened in another lifetime. It's very long but not boring at all. Loved the photography. If you enjoy period films do not skip this one ;)
As almost in any Kubrick film, the visuals and sound is amazing. The landscape filming is beutiful, and i love his technique of starting close on an object, and zooming slowly out.
It's a long film, but it's also a well made film, and the acting is superb.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 29
Earring72
STUNNING looking movie with great eye for detail follows the long but never dull story of poor Barry to higher places. The second half feels different and the lead is very hard to like but very entertaining and well made movieSiskoid
I'm used to Stanley Kubrick playing distancing tricks on the audience, but Barry Lyndon, based on Thackeray's The Luck of Barry Lyndon, takes the cake. The book is a 19th-Century picaresque set in the 18th, following the good and bad fortunes of an Irish rogue who eventually marries into the aristocracy. It's a story book-ended by duels, and wryly narrated by Michael Hordern's rich voice, but that's just it - we're often told things and not actually shown them, especially where emotional context is concerned. The lead, Ryan O'Neal, spends most of the film, stone-facedly moving from one circumstance to another, do while I wasn't exactly bored (restless perhaps, but not bored), I definitely had a hard time engaging with the story. But this is Kubrick, so it's all part of the plan, of course. The achievement here is to create what is clearly the product of 18th-Century high art. Every frame is a painting (some shots inspired by the art of the era). Every note of the soundtrack a classical piece. The narration, literary. So when he puts us at a distance, it's the distance one feels from a painting, from the past, from the artifice of the century. We're meant to be detached, but to also take in the beauty of the image - perhaps an exploration of the difference between painting and cinema on his part - albeit, intellectually. As a piece of cinematography, it is impressive; as a story, it (necessarily?) leaves me cold.kurvduam
(removed by mod: please post in English)BigAwesomeBLT
Beautiful to look at. Having empathised with Barry in the first half, I disliked his character after the intermission. However, you then realise that he has been lucky all along, had fallen into things by chance, and his character never really changed.There aren't too many of Kubrick's trademarks in the film. The music is there, the attention to detail and there is quite a long tracking shot towards the end, but otherwise you don't get the Kubrick feel you would from 2001 or Clockwork Orange.
I have seen others online, in the past, complaining that this film is too slow. I found it skipped along quite quickly, with the plot constantly unfolding. In fact, for a three hour film, there is hardly a moments rest.
Having put off watching this film for a while, despite being a Kubrick fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie when I finally got round to it.
nicolaskrizan
rise and fallhttps://beyond1001movies.wordpress.com/2015/04/19/backtrack-barry-lyndon-1975/
senorroboto
Really beautifully done. I know it precedes one of them, but this movie plays out like a bastard child ofOMERFT
A poetic piece of art by the world's one of the most genius men.missjazzage
I'm not a Kubrick fan but whenever I mention to Kubrick lovers that I loved this film, they smirk. I honestly do not understand; this film did much more for me than 2001. I was completely absorbed and astonished by the manipulation of time and the noticeable but subtle shift in Barry's character. And the cinematography. Just stunning.Miss Jitterbug
The most beautiful cinematography I've ever seen!MewSa
One of those films that at the end you'll get the sensation that the beginning happened in another lifetime. It's very long but not boring at all. Loved the photography. If you enjoy period films do not skip this one ;)StefanoEarnest
I do believe that this tied with Nashville for the National Board of Review Best Film award in '75.Vetle Haeg Nymoen
As almost in any Kubrick film, the visuals and sound is amazing. The landscape filming is beutiful, and i love his technique of starting close on an object, and zooming slowly out.It's a long film, but it's also a well made film, and the acting is superb.
RaggedReels
A very, very interesting filmvmunda
Never a dull moment.Holden7
Unnecessarily drawn out.Showing items 1 – 15 of 29